Parents' Testimonials

We have been extremely pleased with the Academy. The staff was and continues to be incredibly welcoming and accommodating to us. My son has been very happy with the coaching, and he really enjoys living and training with the other players (who come from all over the world). It has been a wonderful experience for him so far and was excited to be back at the Academy after winter break back home.

Thank you to the entire Michel Hidalgo Academy team for the warm welcome, guidance, professionalism, and kindness. The young players are in an exceptional environment and can enjoy this beautiful region while doing what they love: football ! Our son is happy and thriving in this structure, which feels like a little family. Thank you all for your attentiveness and everything you do.

This year our second son is fortunate enough to attend Michel Hidalgo International Football Academy and is having an amazing experience, as was our previous experience for our eldest son. Our eldest son attended the Academy 3 years ago and he was so happy with the experience that our second son was eager to do the same. Hidalgo's facilities in beautiful Antibes are breathtaking! The facility has everything the boys need to train, eat, study, make friends from around the world, and generally grow into fine young men. The experience has truly been life changing for our boys and the Academy has supported them above and beyond. Laurence, Zino and Jeremy have been amazing sports leaders and advocates for our sons. They have helped develop the boys in soccer but have also helped to open doors to opportunities we could not have accessed on our own. While we are from Vancouver, Canada, my eldest son still communicates with the friends he has made across the globe during his time at Hidalgo. They will surely be lifelong friends as they experienced such key bonding moments at a coming of age point in their lives. The fluency in French my eldest son developed after a single year that was fully immersed in this great environment has had a significant impact on his education and college path. My second son is already speaking purely in French with his team and the locals and is my guide when I am fortunate enough to visit him in Antibes. I highly recommend this programme for those that have sons interested in developing their skills not only in soccer and French but also in life in general.

Honestly, I would have given anything to be with you at the Academy. It’s clear that the young players are very well taken care of. By the way, I will never stop thanking you for your dedication to Greg. Congratulations to the entire team for all the work, and long live the HIDALGO Academy! Hats off to the team!

I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the warm hospitality you extended to my family during our recent visit to see Jackson. We truly felt welcomed, and it meant a great deal to us. It has been incredibly rewarding to see how much Jackson is growing—not only as a player, but also as a person. It’s clear that this development is a direct reflection of the environment you have created. We are deeply grateful for the care, attention, and the many extra efforts you have invested in him. None of it has gone unnoticed. I was also very impressed by the overall level of professionalism at the Academy. The quality of the coaching, the structure and intensity of the drills, and the attitude and performance of the players all stood out. It speaks volumes about the standards you uphold and the culture you’ve built. A special thank you to you, Zino, for taking the time to sit down with my husband and I to review Jackson’s progress. That conversation was extremely valuable and reassuring, and we truly appreciate the thoughtfulness and honesty you shared. I know your time is incredibly valuable, and your willingness to invest it in us and in Jackson does not go unnoticed. I will be returning in May to pick Jackson up and bring him home, and I am hopeful we may have the opportunity to meet again with you, Laurence, and Zino to continue that discussion in more detail. Thank you again for everything you do—not just for Jackson, but for all the players at the Academy. The level of soccer, coaching, and overall professionalism is truly impressive, and we feel very fortunate to be part of it.

I would like to offer an enthusiastic endorsement of the Michel Hidalgo Football Academy. As a young Canadian player passionate about football our son Rupert was wanting to find somewhere where he could further his training goals and immerse himself in an academy experience. The staff at the Academy have developed a wonderful program providing for daily training guided by experienced coaches and in a warm and supportive environment. Living and training with a group of young footballers from many countries is a special experience with rewards going far beyond just improvements in football skills. We've enjoyed tremendously listening to Rupert recount his weekly stories of adventures on and off the pitch with the friends he's made. He is especially proud of being accepted at a local club; training 3 nights per week, pushing himself to make the starting 11 every weekend, and celebrating successes with his French teammates. I would like to offer our appreciation for Laurence, Zino, John, Jeremy, Mickael, and the supporting staff who work very hard to make this Academy such a special place. I recommend the Michel Hidalgo Football Academy for any parent considering an international academy experience for their young footballer.

Michel Hidalgo International Football Academy has been a great place for my son to experience high level football training. The academy provides the players with the proper environment to improve and perform at a high level. The Academy also supports and follows the education of each player, which has been very helpful especially when the players are away from home — thanks to Isabelle, the pedagogical director of the Academy. Furthermore , the coaches Jeremy, Mika and Zino follow the progress of each player and provide them with constructive feedback. My son is back home for Christmas break, but already missing his friends at the Academy; this shows how the Academy makes each player feel homely by helping them to develop a brotherhood relationship. I will recommend Michel Hidalgo Football Academy to any passionate players inspiring to become a professional football player.

Our son has grown and truly enjoyed his time at the Academy for the last few months. He has developed a strong bond with fellow athletes and a solid relationship with the coaching staff. The training sessions have been intense and focusing on building on his strengths as a player. We look forward to seeing what the next semester will bring.

Michel HIDALGO's Academy is excellent ; the staff are extraordinarily kind and professional with the children. Thank you to all of you, without exception.

Great conditions for showing and getting football skills of young football players

My son has been at the Academy since last August and I am pretty satisfied with the results. Thanks for the work you do.

A magnificent setting, sea view, competent coaches, well-supported Academy players; everything is in place for the development of young people. Thank you all for your dedication, so that these Academy players can live their passion for football, once a football player, always a football player.

My son Mati has been a part of the Academy since last summer. Right from the very beginning, he has received excellent support from the Academy's staff. They invited him to familiarize himself with the Academy's conditions and they organized a couple of tests to choose the right club for him. They successfully placed Mati in a very good club with a great coach who gradually introduced him to a new way of training and playing football. The Academy staff guided and supported Mati in his daily life and training in an excellent manner. The training sessions were well balanced between focusing on results and his health. Mati experienced exponential growth in his technical skills, strength, stamina, and dynamics. Despite training extensively and playing in almost all the season's games, he only sustained a couple of minor injuries, which were treated in less than a week. In addition to improving his football skills, he has also enhanced his English fluency, achieved a good understanding, and developed basic speaking skills in French. As the end of the season approaches, Mati is eagerly looking forward to continuing his training at the Academy and playing in the new season with FFF on the highest level in his age category.

An exceptional opportunity for young people to join the Hidalgo Academy. The location is ideal, with the training ground just steps away. The accommodation is simple but comfortable enough. The highest praise goes to the coaching team, who are available 24/7 with professionalism while creating a safe and welcoming environment. Communication and availability are also major strengths within the Academy. Decisions are made in the best interest of the trainee, and all options are considered with the commitment of both the trainee and their parents. A big thank you and congratulations to the dedicated individuals who make this a truly golden experience for our young footballers!

A very serious, dynamic, and competent Academy, thanks to the people who run it at all levels. Excellent interpersonal skills. Furthermore, a magnificent setting where our child is thriving.

Excellent idea, this reflects the seriousness of the Michel Hidalgo Academy. Very welcoming and a very friendly staff.

A wonderful academy, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and highly skilled and attentive coaches. Thank you for giving our children such an amazing experience.

Mathew came from the United States to the Hidalgo Academy to continue his football training. The people at the Academy have been fantastic. They made Mathew feel like a full member of a true football family. They raised his training level, which allowed him to compete at a very high level, and today he plays for AS Cannes. Mathew knows that his overall game has improved in a very short time. The coaches are professional, competent, and very accessible. They were able to give him precise guidance to improve his game. Mathew's goal has always been to play at the highest level, and he feels he is progressing rapidly toward this goal thanks to the Hidalgo Academy and training with AS Cannes. I also greatly appreciated the Academy's communication with me. It has been an incredible opportunity, even during this particularly challenging time.

Our family is very grateful for the time you dedicate to our son and for your devotion to him, surrounding him with trustworthy people. You have had a great influence on Dimitris from the very beginning of his journey at the Michel Hidalgo Football Academy. By working alongside him on his technical skills and physical qualities, this hard work has paid off, and his confidence has grown considerably through his match performances. We love his passion for football, as well as the happiness he feels living in Cannes and training intensively to achieve his goals.

Luke has always been motivated by the sport of football, has desired to be immersed in Football, and wanted to become the best player, at the highest level of playing possible. He was fortunate to have Stéphane Auvray as his coach and Stéphane served a significant role in his development. The Michel Hidalgo International Football Academy was recommended by Stéphane and it has in every way pushed Luke further along his path as both a player and a person! By having the perspective, expertise and multiple player advocates in both a Hidalgo coach, coupled with the RC Grasse coaching staff - Luke has been able to improve his game technically, tactically and mentally. The competition has helped him increase his speed and athleticism. Any feedback received is taken to heart and he works very diligently to correct or work on improvement based on the feedback. The schedules are rigorous but translate to the growth he is looking for. He has hours on a bus a day but has mentioned it also supports learning the language. So while there are challenges there are always positive results! He knows this is the best place for him at this moment and will continue to work hard in partnership with top notch coaching and peers that elevate his game. While Luke’s growth on the field is measured and holistically evaluated in great detail (ongoing Hidalgo Academy and club coach feedback), the personal development of him we’ve seen - as someone becoming an adult - is completely immeasurable and priceless. The mentoring in the classroom has helped him learn a new language and become more fluent. The gift of knowing how to speak French will be forever with him! As will all the friendships and genuine relationships that will certainly last a lifetime. We appreciate this experience, the learning opportunities and all that the staff and coaches have provided for Luke at the Michel Hidalgo International Football Academy!

It is with immense pleasure that I recommend the Michel Hidalgo International Football Academy in Cannes, France. Our son Bruno is a resident student at the Academy for the 2021/2022 academic year, and we couldn't be happier. Over the past few months, Bruno has become more independent, more confident, more engaged, and more determined to give his best to become the best version of himself, both as a footballer and as a student. The Academy runs like a well-oiled machine. The coaches, teachers, staff, and the school president, Laurence Potier, are not only highly experienced professionals but also warm and genuinely caring individuals. Bruno is living his dream in an exceptional environment, while being constantly challenged to develop the skills necessary for a successful life. As Bruno himself says, "I am constantly challenged, both on and off the field, to strive for excellence while showing respect and support for others. I am learning to become a leader." »

We have great pleasure to share with you about our impressions of the Michel Hidalgo Academy, about your professionalism and the professionalism of the entire staff of the Academy. We hope and believe that the acquired skills and knowledge will help Dastan fulfill his dream, the dream of millions of boys around the world become a professional footballer. Many thanks to you and your Academy for the fact that you train children both physically and mentally, sharing your professional skills with them and this brings them closer to their cherished goal. Throughout the training at the Academy, we were secured for our minor son, since he was in the reliable hands of the coaches and staff of the Academy, he is taken care of around the clock. We are sincerely glad that Dastan entered precisely your Academy, since you have created all the conditions for studying, playing sports and relaxing. I wish your graduates to become famous football players, professionals in their field, and of course glorify your Academy and the name of the legendary Michel Hidalgo to the whole world, as he once glorified France !